December 7, 2016

The United States Agency for International Development is partnering with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) to support the Afghan Government and civil society to improve access to safe drinking water, community sanitation facilities, and hygiene practices in households, schools, and health facilities. The program aims to improve the lives of at least 75,000 vulnerable and disadvantaged households in 16 selected rural Afghan provinces.

Access to safe and affordable financial services enables individuals and families to transfer money and make payments; save to manage income volatility; achieve specific goals; build long-term financial security; use credit to take advantage of opportunities like starting a business; and insure themselves against life's many risks. Progress on financial inclusion has helped stimulate broad-based economic growth in both developed and developing economies and is critical to reaching the Sustainable Development Goals adopted by the international community in 2015.

UN releases revised flash appeal for Haiti, requesting $139 million in humanitarian funding. USAID/OFDA partners and other response actors bolster WASH support in hurricane-affected areas. USAID/FFP provides more than $14.4 million for cash-based food assistance in Grand’Anse and Sud.

USAID/Senegal is supporting the Government of Senegal’s National Program for Good Governance, which includes commitments to control corruption, improve service delivery and accountability, and protect human rights. USAID is also working with civil society organizations to increase their ability to hold government institutions accountable and to effectively engage the public in improving governance in Senegal. And USAID is addressing the Casamance conflict, directly through activities such as conflict resolution at the grassroots level, and indirectly through facilitation of high-level political meetings and dialogue.

USAID/Senegal works with the Government of Senegal to put quality health services within reach of a growing majority of the population. Since 1979, USAID’s health programs have the supported the Ministry of Health and local communities to reduce maternal mortality and child deaths, prevent infectious diseases and other illnesses, and help people live healthier lives.

USAID/Senegal is working with the Government of Senegal, teachers, parents, students and businesses to ensure all Senegalese children receive 10 years of quality education, especially girls and vulnerable children. This includes building schools, supporting teacher training, increasing supplies of books and access to the Internet, and increasing enrolment and opportunities for out-of-school young people in conflict environments in the south.

USAID/Senegal is working with the Government of Senegal to link domestic producers, processors, and distributors to encourage local production and manufacturing rather than relying on imports. This improves incomes and helps reduce unemployment. It means Senegal is better able to meet its food need when there are chronic shortages, and that it can improve nutrition, especially among women and children. It also helps to fight poverty, improve the agricultural sector, natural resources management, trade, and, in concert with the USAID Health Office, nutrition – especially of women and children.